Catecholamine Function in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Catecholamine Function in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Emerging Concepts provides clinicians and scientists alike with a comprehensive and up-to-date review of basic neurobiology and clinical science related to catecholaminergic systems in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The book begins by defining clinical and scientific terms to orient readers from diverse disciplines. It then presents a number of chapters discussing the neurobiology of central catecholaminergic systems, how these are altered by stress in animals, and what significance such basic scientific findings may have for the clinical syndrome of PTSD. It then proceeds to describe what is currently known about changes in central and peripheral catecholaminergic systems in PTSD, followed by a review of antidepressant treatment of the disorder. The book finishes with a chapter discussing methodological considerations for studies of catecholaminergic systems in humans, and a commentary regarding limitations of animal models of PTSD, adding an evaluatory dimension to the overall work. PTSD is unique in having its main etiology in stressful life experiences; however, an understanding of the cascade of biological changes set into motion by stress exposure has potential application to other stress-exacerbated mental disorders as well.